Overview

FISU World University Games How North Creek Does Winter tm

Thank you for welcoming athletes, media, & spectators to the FISU World University Games at Gore Mountain! What a great event!

The Winter World University Games is the largest winter multi-sport collegiate athletic event in the world. University students between the ages of 17 and 25 are eligible to enter. In 2018, Lake Placid was selected to host the 2023 World University Games. New York’s ORDA venues are proud to be hosting this 11-day international festival and competition, as the world unites at venues all around the Adirondacks of NY!

During the Lake Placid 2023 FISU Winter World University Games, Gore Mountain is open! Training and competition will take place January 12-22 and the event window is January 2-24 as we set up and dismantle the supporting infrastructure.

At Gore Mountain, you can witness top athletes from around the world competing in games including Skiercross, Big Air, and Slopestyle. Due to the high-profile nature of the Games, temporary changes to capacity, parking, trails, lifts, lodges, and activities can be expected during these events. We’ve filled this page with details of some of the changes to the Gore experience that you can anticipate. This information is subject to changes, please check back for updates!

 

FISU World University Games freestyle snowboard icon FISU World University Games freestyle ski icon

What To Expect

We are open for skiing during the Games!

If you plan to ski at Gore during the World University Games, here is what you can expect:

  • In Parking Lots… When you arrive, there will be a different parking and traffic plan. Follow the map for drop-off and parking. Wherever you see Gore staff directing vehicles to parking spaces in a lot, that is the closest lot open. If you see a sign that says “Now Parking Lot “E, F, or G,” this indicates this is the closest open lot. Save time, park, and take the shuttle to the Base Area. Save even more time by booting up at your car. View Map
  • Increased Security… There will be a security checkpoint during the Games. Simply walk through the gates, and you should be good to go unless you decided to bring in a prohibited item. Please note that hard coolers and outside alcohol are just some of the items not allowed. See the full list of Prohibited Items here.
  • In the Lodges… The lodges will be a little more crowded than normal, with some spaces reserved exclusively for use of the Games. There will be food and beverage available on the deck. Please enjoy the great outdoors and view the finish area from a picnic table! Better yet, go to the finish area, and maybe you will be seen on ESPN in the US or on the World University Games worldwide broadcast.
  • On the Slopes… There is a lot of skiing for you at Gore. Only a few trails are being used for the Games: Wild Air, Lower Sleighride, 2B, Pot Luck, and The Arena.
  • At the Events… Games Competitions are being held at Gore: Big Air, Ski & Snowboard Cross, Slopestyle, and Snowboard Slalom. Your valid season ski pass or lift ticket gives you access to view all skiing competitions at Gore and/or Whiteface, so watch the Games and you may be on ESPN.

Parking And Security

Plan to arrive early to avoid anticipated traffic and parking delays.

From Monday, January 9 – Sunday, January 22, the Premier Parking Lot will be closed to the public, including parking season passholders; paid parking will not be available for purchase.

We will have increased security including bag checks at all entrances. Everyone entering Gore Mountain Ski Area must go through a security checkpoint. No hard coolers, outside alcohol or other prohibited items* will be allowed through these checkpoints.

Shuttles will offer convenient access to the Base Area from Lots D, E, F, & G.

*Prohibited items include firearms, explosive and/or incendiary devices, noxious material, electronic stun guns, assault-type items or devices, edged weapons, nuisance items & devices, restraining-type items/devices, and additional miscellaneous items.

Prohibited Items Flyer

Gore Mountain Parking Map

When you arrive, there will be a different parking and traffic plan, reference the map above for drop-off and parking. Wherever you see parking attendants directing vehicles in a lot, that is the closest lot open. If you see a sign that says “Now Parking Lot “E, F, or G,” this also indicates the closest open lot. Save time, park, and take the shuttle bus to the Base Area. Save some more time and boot up at your car.

Event Schedule

Freeski provides some of the best action of the Olympic disciplines, combining the high-flying tricks of freestyle skiing with the skill and excitement of snowboarding. The “Free” in the title refers to the freestyle origins of this discipline.

Ski & Snowboard Cross – Athletes combine Alpine and Freestyle skills in timed head-to-head races. The course terrain incorporates big-air jumps and high-banked turns.

  • January 12: Snowboard Cross Qualifications
  • January 13: Snowboard Cross Round Robin & Finals
  • January 15: Ski Cross Qualifications
  • January 16: Ski Cross Round Robin & Finals

See Results

Slopestyle – In this event, competitors race down a designated course, hitting a variety of obstacles, jumps, and rails and doing backflips or other “impossible” acrobatic tricks. Harder tricks earn more points for originality, amplitude, and execution.

  • January 17: Freestyle & Freeski/Snowboard Slopestyle Qualifications
  • January 18: Freestyle & Freeski/Snowboard Slopestyle Finals

See Results

Big Air – Epic tricks like multiple flips, and big air over 100 feet wow fans of this event. Competitors get two runs to showcase their best tricks, in an attempt to qualify for the finals.

  • January 19: Freestyle & Freeski/Snowboard Big Air Qualifications
  • January 20: Freestyle & Freeski/Snowboard Big Air Finals

Snowboard Slaloms – Riders race down two evenly spaced courses at speeds of up to 70 mph through sets of gates that force extremely tight and quick turns, or wide sweeping turns through more spaced out Giant Slalom gates.

  • January 21: Snowboard Parallel Giant Slalom Qualifications & Finals
  • January 22: Snowboard Parallel Slalom Qualifications & Finals

Trails & Parks

Wild Air, Lower Sleighride, 2b, Pot Luck, and The Arena will be open for competition only. Jibland and Starting Gate will not be open during the World University Games. We have a Terrain Park open on Upper Sleighride for public use during the Games.

Reserved Rooms

From January 2-24, the Tahawus Room in the Base Lodge and the large dining/banquet room in the Tannery Restaurant will be reserved for the exclusive use of FISU World University Games staff, media, and coaches.

Lessons & Rentals

Plan to arrive extra early, allowing additional time for parking and security checkpoints before you check in for lessons or get fitted for rental equipment.

Prohibited Items

We will have increased security including bag checks at all entrances. Everyone entering Gore Mountain Ski Area must go through a security checkpoint. No outside alcohol or prohibited items will be allowed through these checkpoints.

PROHIBITED ITEMS ARE LISTED BELOW.

  • Firearms
  • Explosive and/or Incendiary Devices
  • Noxious Material
  • Electronic Stun Guns
  • Assault-type Items/Devices
  • Edged Weapons (exception: leatherman type multi-tool with a blade of 3″ or less allowed at Gore)
  • Nuisance Items/Devices
  • Restraining-type Items/Devices
  • Miscellaneous Prohibited Items
    • Drugs or other illegal narcotic substances
    • Laser Pointers
    • Police radios and scanners
    • Pressure Cookers
    • Aerosol Cans
    • Inappropriate clothing with derogatory messages and /or profanity
    • Alcoholic Beverages (excluding those provided or sold by Games vendors or sponsors)
    • Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)* – “drones and quadcopters”
    • Roller blades, roller skates, skateboards, hoverboards, bicycles, and scooters, other than power mobile scooters used by persons with limited mobility.
    • No Hard Coolers. Soft Coolers are allowed.
    • Pets (excluding Service Animals)
    • Flares, fireworks, pyrotechnics, smoke canisters, signaling devices that emit smoke, dye, or flames, or any other item or device designed or intended to disrupt Games activities as determined by event security, event staff, or police.
    • Any item that may give cause for concern that the person may wish to demonstrate any political or personal view within any Games venue or location: articles of clothing, flags, banners, posters, or other items that can be readily completed or altered to create an item that expresses any political or personal view. This includes placards, pens, markers, and paints that can be utilized to create an item expressing any political or personal view deemed disruptive to the Games.

*Drones: any unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) which is piloted remotely or flies autonomously through the use of software. This restriction does not apply to Law Enforcement.


Prohibited Items Flyer

Frequently Asked Questions

About the FISU World University Games at Gore Mountain. 

When are the Games?  

Events are January 12-22. Course building on the mountain started on January 3 and the detailed schedule for the competitions at Gore can be found here. 

Can Passholders, Frequent Skier Cardholders, & E-Ticket guests ski & ride? 

YES! We are open during the games. Expect a snow day as usual. There is a lot of skiing for you at Gore. Only a few trails are being used for the Games. 

What trails are the courses on? 

Wild Air, Lower Sleighride, 2b, Pot Luck, and The Arena will be open for competition only. Jibland and Starting Gate will not be available during the World University Games. We have a Terrain Park on Upper Sleighride for public use during the Games. 

Will the Games affect the lifts? 

No, all lifts will run like normal. Athletes will have a separate line at the Adirondack Express.  

Will it be crowded? 

We expect the volume of guests and vehicles to be similar to any other season during January. We anticipate more guests on the weekend and during the MLK Holiday (January 14-16), as holidays & weekends at Gore Mountain typically see an influx of visitors.  

Parking? 

When you arrive, there will be a different parking and traffic plan. Parking during the weekends & holiday periods will have a high volume of vehicles, just like any other weekend or holiday. We will have a drop-off area and shuttles, but Premier Parking won’t be available for our guests during the FISU World University Games. As always, regular parking at Gore Mountain is always free. We are bringing in a professional parking team to help assist & we have established a new flow, so follow the staff & the new parking signs— plan to arrive early to avoid delays. Wherever you see Gore parking staff directing cars to parking spaces, that is the closest lot open. If you see a sign that says, “Now Parking Lot “E, F, or G,” this indicates the closest open lot. Save time, park, and take the shuttle bus to the base area. See the Parking Map here

Security? What will we need? 

It won’t be like airport security, and you don’t need to present any tickets to enter the Gore Mountain Base Area. You can walk right through, and security will only stop you if you bring in prohibited items. They may check your bags, so getting ready at your car could speed up the process. Note that hard coolers & outside alcohol won’t be allowed. See the complete list of Prohibited Items here.

Will the games affect the ability to buy tickets? 

Buying E-Tickets in advance will lock in your dates & give you the best available pricing. Holiday periods and weekends are more likely to sell out than other dates. There will be World University Games events during the MLK Holiday period, January 14-16. E-tickets have the potential to sell out on these dates and any future dates this season. In the case of online sellouts as well as during holiday periods, tickets are not available to purchase at the mountain.

What else will the games affect? 

From January 2-24, the Tahawus Room in the Base Lodge and the large dining/banquet room in the Tannery Restaurant will be reserved for the exclusive use of FISU World University Games staff, media, and coaches. 

What’s in it for me? 

FREE Giveaways & Event Tickets for 22-23 Season Passholders (sent to their email)! Join our sundeck parties happening daily from January 12-22. We will have giveaways, a live DJ, complimentary smores, food & drink specials, food trucks, and fantastic entertainment available while you watch these world-class athletes attempt incredible feats on the courses. 22-23 Season Passholders have received an exclusive e-mail offer for two free tickets for any (1) FISU World University Games event of their choice. 

Do we need to buy tickets to watch the games? 

Spectator tickets that offer access to our reserved spectator areas near the finish lines of each course are available for $15 here. Your valid season pass or lift ticket gives you access to all skiing competitions so come watch the Games, and you may be on ESPN. 

Can we use the courses after the Games are over?  

Not just yet. We are hosting the Holeshot Cross Tour from February 6-10 on these competition courses. Following this exciting event and as conditions allow, the courses will be modified and open to public.

Who is building the course? 

Arena Snow Parks, a professional course-building company out of British Columbia. 

Who is FISU? 

Since 1949, the International University Sports Federation has been the key driver to expand the role and reach of university sports around the world. It serves as the international governing body for the World University Games. 

Where are athletes from? 

The athletes are ages 17-25, from 500 universities in 46 different countries. 

Why is ORDA hosting these games at Gore? 

The FISU Winter World University Games is the world’s largest winter multi-sport collegiate athletic event across many sports disciplines.  In 2018, Lake Placid was selected to host the FISU World University Games and it was soon decided to split the competition venues across regions — Lake Placid, Gore Mountain in the south, and Canton and Potsdam in the west. This approach provides regional economic vitality, international sport, and brand recognition throughout the North Country region of New York State. 

Anything else we should know? 

These events are going to be very exciting to watch! Join the Sundeck Parties, cheer on these incredible athletes, have fun, and enjoy your day on the mountain as usual. We hope to see you there!